Assessment of Students' Knowledge about Substance Use in Tikrit Medical College

Background: Substance use is a growing public health concern among university students that affects both health and academic performance. Medical students represent a key group for investigation due to their future role in health promotion and patient education. The aim of this study is to identify students' knowledge in Tikrit Medical College regarding substance use. Subject and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 340 students at Tikrit Medical College using a structured self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic criteria, knowledge of substance use and smoking behavior. Results: Adequate knowledge about substance use was reported by 67.9% of students, particularly regarding alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana, while knowledge about opioids, stimulants, and hallucinogens was limited. The majority (90.3%) were non-smokers; among smokers, cigarettes were the most common type of tobacco used, followed by hookah, while vaping was the least common. Conclusion: Medical students in Tikrit showed good level of awareness of substance use, however their knowledge was limited regarding less common substances. Targeted educational programs and stronger tobacco control efforts are recommended.